Bangladesh, Nepal resume talks on PTA after years

12 Jan '26

1 min read

Bangladesh, Nepal resume talks on PTA after years

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Insights

At the eighth Nepal-Bangladesh secretary-level commerce talks in Dhaka on January 13-14, Nepal plans to urge the latter to remove additional tariffs on Nepalese products that affect the former's exports despite regional trade pacts.
Discussions on a preferential trade agreement have been under way since 2017.
The latest talks will focus on trade and transit issues, including export-import facilitation.

At the eighth secretary-level commerce talks between Nepal and Bangladesh scheduled to be held in Dhaka on January 13-14, the former plans to urge the latter to remove additional tariffs on Nepalese products that continue to hamper the former’s exports despite regional trade agreements.

Discussions on a bilateral preferential trade agreement (PTA) have been under way since 2017.

During a virtual secretary-level meeting in 2020, both sides agreed in principle to pursue such an agreement. However, Nepal wants Bangladesh to first remove para-tariffs on Nepalese goods.

The latest talks will focus on bilateral trade and transit issues, including export-import facilitation.

Although Bangladesh is a nearby and potentially large market for Nepali products, para-tariffs have long constrained exports, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies spokesperson Netra Prasad Subedi was cited as saying by a Nepalese media outlet.

Despite both sides being members of the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), Nepal has struggled to benefit from preferential access to Bangladesh.

Nepal continues to face a widening trade deficit with Bangladesh.

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